Chapter 34: If You Don't Act Now...

We drag Callista deeper into the forest, far from the temple and any prying ears. that might be listening. My head is spinning with everything she's just dropped on us;

Just another Tuesday in my fucked-up life.

Callista stumbles between us, still weak from her fight with Darius, but I'm not feeling particularly sympathetic at the moment.

"Here," I say, stopping in a small clearing surrounded by dense pines. The trees form a natural barrier, and the thick canopy overhead obscures us from above. "This is far enough."

Callista leans against a tree trunk, breathing heavily. Blood stains her torn robe, but she doesn't ask for help or healing. Instead, she watches me with those unnerving eyes, waiting.

"I need more detailed information," I demand, crossing my arms. "And this time, I want the whole truth, not just cryptic warnings and prophecy fragments."